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Kayla Coffey
Professor Shaelynn Long-Kish
ENG 111
3/23/16
Evolution of Education
The practice of education has been a solid foundation for several civilizations around the
world. The progression of schooling has brought forth many changes and improvements to how
one can learn and comprehend material. One of the more recent and considerable learning
methods has been the practice of online education. This style of learning has made it possible for
students to complete school courses without having to be present in a classroom. Taking into
consideration that online education is done using technology such as computers, laptops, IPads,
etc. With this extension in education are the students who are enrolled in online courses still
learning just as effectively as they would in a classroom setting? For the students who do choose
online education have to take into account that there will be differences from our traditional ways
of learning. Since online education requires the use of computers Author Susan Fyfe mentioned
three composuch as technical problems, computer illiteracy and cost. Considering this
Communication is key in any educational environment. In an online course
communication isnt done in a face-to-face manner. So how do students communicate with the
instructor or one another if they need help on an assignment or task? Authors Tim S. Roberts
and Joanne M. McInnerney express their answer to this in their essay Online Learning: Social
Interaction and the Creation of a Sense of Community. They state Chat-rooms and other such
forums are an excellent way for students to socialize, to assist each other with study, or to learn
as part of collaborative teams. Holding discussion forums keeps the interaction between
classmates similar to how it would be in a traditional face-to-face class room. When posting on a

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discussion board or forum other classmates can see what you have posted and they can reply
back. This makes it easy for students to ask questions and get answers in an online class.
Teachers will usually hold discussion forums as a way for students to engage in discussion with
one another. Along with Roberts and McInnerneys stance Author Jesus Borrego in his writing
Roadmap for a Successful Transition to an Online Environment expresses a similar viewpoint
that In an online environment, learning is increased when meaningful interaction occurs among
faculty and students, and especially between students. Students who are enrolled in the same
class are learning the same material so they could seek one another for help. Along with
synchronous communication Roberts and McInnerney also state that asynchronous
communication such as e-mail is just as beneficial in the online class room setting when you
want to talk one-on-one with an instructor or classmate. When you have a personal question or
concern about something you can use e-mail instead of posting publicly to the whole class. When
a student taking an online course uses both forms of communication when needed it keeps them
actively engaged in the course giving them a higher chance of being successful in their studies.
Technology isnt always as reliable or as easy as we want it to be either. If students have
never taken an online class before they could struggle with the lack of understanding how online
classes work. Authors Carol ONeal and Cheryl Fisher discuss an experiment they conducted
measuring the success rate between nursing students taking an online course to nursing students
taking the exact same course but in a traditional at school setting in their essay Should I take
this Course Online? Many of the students who took the online course stated . . . knowing
about computers and being computer savvy is necessary when taking an online course. Lacking
skills in computer technology can cause a student to become stressed trying to learn about a
computer and its functions as well as the material they have to learn for the class. Without

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knowing how to upload assignments or make a presentations or type papers you may want to reconsider online courses. Borrego writes similar views stating, . . . students must be aware of
the computer and technology requirements, especially with regards to operating systems, web
browsers, required software and tools, and connectivity speeds. Without internet connection
accessing and completing the online class itself would be a problem. The source of all the
material you need is online and only accessible online. Previously mentioned technology can be
unreliable at times. Possible computer crashes could happen, along with internet connection
problems, or other technical issues. Some of these problems could result in lost work or could be
pricy to fix. Students who are taking online classes should have some basic computing skills and
should know how to access information as well if they are looking to be successful in an online
class.
Along with good communication and technology skills the student themselves
have to have the responsibility to keep up on their online education. They have to actively stay
engaged in their studies checking their class periodically for assignments due and discussion
forums to be posted on. If they are struggling with the material its up to them to contact the
professor or classmate for assistance. ONeal and Fisher write that Learning online requires
students to be more responsible, self-directed, and motivated. Meaning that they wont have
constant reminders of when assignments are due or when exams are coming up. Since online
courses dont have specific class dates the students will have to manage their time well to get the
work done. Borrego adds to this by stating the quality of learning is directly related to the
time investment provided by the students. If the student wants to learn the material and be
successful in his/her studies he/she will put in the time and work to earn a good grade.

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In conclusion, I dont believe that online classes are meant for everyone. Some students
learn better and are more successful being in a class room environment and some students learn
better by working in an online environment. After reading the three essays I could gather that
clear communication between students and professors is important in knowing what is expected
of you or if you needed assistance with the material. Having general knowledge on technology
and computers themselves will greatly benefit someone taking an online course but ultimately
success relies on the type of student taking the online course.

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Works Cited
Borrego, Jesus. "Roadmap for a Successful Transition to an Online Enviornment."
Education Research (2010): 59-66.
Carol ONeil, PhD, RN, CNE and MSN, RN and Cheryl Fisher. "Should I Take this
Course Online?" Journal of Nursing Education (2008): 53-58.
Fyfye, Susan. "Collaborative learning at a distance: The Human Biology Experience."
(2000).
Roberts, Joanne M McInnerney and Tim S. "Online Learning: Social Interaction and
the Creation of a Sense of Community ." Educational Technology & Society
(2004): 73-81.

Fyfe, S. (2000). Collaborative learning at a distance: The Human Biology experience. In A.

Herrmann and M.M. Kulski (Eds), Flexible Futures in Tertiary Teaching. Proceedings of the 9th
Annual Teaching Learning Forum, 2-4 February 2000. Perth: Curtin University of Technology.
http://lsn.curtin.edu.au/tlf/tlf2000/fyfes.html